Woman Interrupted
In 1993, my life’s course changed and I became a “woman
interrupted.” God interrupted my life
and called me to found a new organization for girls, the American Heritage
Girls (AHG), as a response to the major changes in direction of the Girl Scouts
USA. His voice was clear as to the need
for a God -honoring program that utilized some of the scout-type techniques
that made the Girl Scouts an effective, transformative organization for
generations of girls.
For thirteen years prior to His calling, I served as an
active volunteer in GSUSA, using my influence to share the Gospel with my
Troop’s members in West Chester, Ohio. When
a choice had to be made as to whom I would serve, Abba Father was my clear choice.
In retrospect, God had prepared me for the journey on which
He had asked me to embark. He had
peppered me with leadership opportunities, instilled a love of country and
youth in my heart, and gave me a mind that was inquisitive and determined. I did not have the educational background, financial
resources or experience to launch a nonprofit ministry, but God assured me He
would provide all that I needed.
And so it began as so many new ventures begin. A perceived community need - (God- honoring
scout-type organization for girls) - sparked a founding idea and a vision of
what could be. The other founders around
my kitchen table brought their program ideas for the new organization and,
together, begin creating badge requirements and a skeleton of a program. Passion ran high which produced quick results
and American Heritage Girls was launched within 18 months of its conception.
 |
| Laurie Cullen, Patti Garibay - remaining founders |
Many of the founders’ passion evaporated when roadblocks
seemed to be everywhere. Without systems
and processes developed, issues arose daily.
The pipe dream became an albatross around the necks of the few that
remained. The mission of the new
organization was contested. “God-
honoring” was too broad and did not clarify the intent of the mission and seemed
to extend the tent too wide. Confusion
resulted, and theological challenges were posed daily. A mission change was
needed. As believers, the leadership
team of this new organization knew that confusion does not come from the Father,
but from the adversary.
After a prayer -filled Board retreat in the year 2000, five
years after its founding, AHG made the bold step of proclaiming its program and
goals as “Christ centered”- allowing Churches and private schools to use the
program to extend their reach to youth.
Despite the difficulty in making this transfer, the calling on the
hearts of the Board of Trustees proved to be ordained. More people than ever before came forth to offer
their talents in organizational management and training. New ideas erupted from a more diverse
community. And all the while, we were
learning. God allowed us to make small mistakes
-skinned knees rather than face plants- which taught us valuable lessons for
the future. We made critical adjustments
and once again our faithful Father blessed those changes. Passion was reignited and prayer was a
consistent element of all gatherings of volunteers and girls. Blessings of resources flowed to allow for
paid staff. No longer was the operational unpaid staff simply friends or family
members of the founder, but people whose lives had been transformed by God
through the work of His ministry. Christ
was blessing our obedience.
The metamorphosis of the fledgling ministry became noticed
by the public. During this time we grew from 100 girls to
10,000 girls. Forty five percent membership increases continue to be the new
norm, and attempting to keep ahead of the growth is AHG’s current “modus operandi”.
Organizational structure is important to reevaluate during
this season of AHG as is the management of cash flow. Governance has changed from operational to
policy driven and the Board of Trustees hail from across the nation as do the
Troops AHG serves. I am working
diligently on succession planning and building a bench of talent for AHG to
enter its third decade of “building women of integrity through service to God,
family, community and country.”
For me, challenges are no longer considered albatrosses, but
opportunities for Him to grow me into the leader He knows I can be. I have learned humility- that my worth and my
ability come from Him alone and the importance of unceasing prayer. I have learned that His plan is perfect and
that He is faithful. I have learned to
open every door He provides in faith and expectation, as He brings His
followers to serve AHG with diverse talents and giftings.
Daily I see His love pouring out on other women and men as
they too enjoy His divine interruption and call to ministry. And I, once a woman interrupted, am eternally grateful for God’s calling on my
life and look forward to the future of American Heritage Girls and His
eternally significant imprint on our nation’s daughters.
How has God
used AHG to interrupt your life so that you could make an impact in the lives
of girls? Share your stories of growth and learning in the comment
section of this Blog to be registered in today's birthday celebration
contest. One winner will be chosen to receive paid tuition to AHG’s 2014
National Leadership Conference June 26-28, 2014 in
Washington D.C/Northern Virginia. To learn more about the 2014 NLC, visit
Must be a
currently registered AHG Adult Member to win. Winners will be chosen at random
and announced next week via AHG’s Facebook Page.
Until Next Time,
Patti
